More capacity building for development-  Cabinet grants approval for overseas training, conferences

DPI, GUYANA, Thursday, July 20, 2017

Minister of State Joseph Harmon on Thursday announced that, Cabinet has granted its approval for Assistant Superintendent of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Jermaine Johnson to attend an Interpol sponsored ‘Week of Action for the Americas Cyber Surge’ operation in Bogota, Colombia from August 28 to September 01. This was disclosed during the post Cabinet media briefing at the Ministry of Presidency.

The country’s participation in the workshop is to enhance the capacity of Interpol member countries to prevent, detect and respond to cyber threats, Minister Harmon explained. He noted that Cbinet also granted its approval for Assistant Superintendent, GPF, Jaganauth Singh to participate in a Federal Bureau of Investigation Mid-level training course for law enforcement officers in Miami, Florida, United States of America (USA) from August 07 to 11.

The Minister explained that, “the course is expected to improve the administrative capacity of participating organisations.”

Cabinet has also granted its approval for Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Small Business Bureau (SBB) Lowell Porter to attend the inaugural Caribbean Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) conference in Montego Bay, Jamaica from July 19 to 22.

The conference convenes under the theme “‘Collaboration for Caribbean Sustainability” will bring together private and public stakeholders from CARICOM and non- CARICOM states to discuss trade, finance and policy matters facing MSME, Minister Harmon explained.

He noted that the conference will finalize a draft policy document on Caribbean business sustainability. He added that it is expected that Guyana’s participation will help in the development of the country’s national micro and small enterprises policy and national entrepreneurship strategy.

Cabinet also granted its approval for representatives selected through the Caribbean Science Foundation to attend the annual Student Programme for Innovation in Science and Engineering (SPISE) on the campus of the University of West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados from July 15 to August 13.

The minister explained that SPISE is an, “annual intensive four-week engagement, enriching programme for Caribbean high school students who are gifted in science and engineering and are interested in studying and exploring careers in those fields.”

He noted that SPISE is also intended for those pursuing advance degrees in those disciplines with the long-term goal of helping to diversify the economies of the Caribbean region by simulating more technology based entrepreneurship.

Cabinet has also granted its approval for two Foreign Service Officers representing Ministry of Foreign Affairs to attend a seminar for economic and trade professionals from the Caribbean in Wudang, China from July 27 to August 9.

He explained that the two-week seminar for economic and trade personnel from Caribbean countries will offer a broad understanding of issues relating to economic and trade matters in China and the Caribbean.

Additionally, Minister Harmon said that cabinet granted its approval for Deputy General of the Civil Defense Commission (CDC) Kester Craig to attend a train-the-trainer workshop in disaster management which will be held in Miami, Florida, USA from July 24 to 26.

The workshop is organised by the Office of United States, Office Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) which will give participants the skills and knowledge to train disaster management practitioners in their respective countries, the minister explained.

OFDA is responsible for leading and coordinating the U.S. government’s response to disasters overseas. The organisation responds to an average of 65 disasters in more than 50 countries every year to ensure aid reaches people affected by rapid-onset disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and floods among other natural disasters.

 

By: Neola Damon